Churchwell became the third person charged in the theft of three car axles from a house in the 800 block of East Sixth.

Police say the three men were trying to sell the axles for cash at North Platte Metals.

Police became aware of the situation around 3:30 p.m. Friday, when an officer went to East Sixth in investigate the reported theft.

The victim said someone stole three car axles from his property sometime during the past three days, but he didn’t know who. The stolen axles were estimated to be worth $1,300, Police Information Officer Rodney Brown said.

On Saturday, an officer went to North Platte Metals after learning that Jeffrey Golden, 48, was at the salvage yard with the axles. The owner was called and identified the axles.

The officer then discovered another victim who had two bumpers and a grill plate stolen about the same time from a home in the 700 block of E. Third, Brown said. The bumpers and grill plate, valued at an estimated $300, were on the same trailer Golden used to haul the stolen axles.

Golden was arrested for two counts of theft by unlawful taking. The value of the axles made that a felony and he was charged with a misdemeanor for the bumpers and grill.

An accomplice, Julian Daily, 39, was arrested for “aiding consummation of a felony (theft)” as well as misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking, Brown said.

Police also believe Churchwell helped steal the axles, and he was collared Tuesday.

Churchwell was arrested in late September, when residents of the 700 block of North Bryan called police to report people carting off pickup loads of items from a home and yard there.

Police found Churchwell driving the loaded pickup. At the time, police said several pickup loads of stolen items were recovered with a total value of $615.

Churchwell did 135 days in jail. He was released Feb. 11.

Churchwell has a lenghty history of crimes. He has been arrested in Lincoln County seven times since 2006, and was arrested twice in other counties too, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s records.